For those most at risk of contracting HIV, new strategies for preventing transmission and increasing testing are needed. As part of a multi-site, randomized, controlled trial, we explored attitudes and preferences among 272 HIV-negative men who have sex with men and HIV-negative transgender women using an HIV self-testing (HIVST) kit to test partners. Less than one quarter had previously self-tested with HIVST kits (21.7%) and few had partner-tested (4.8%). Most preferred gum swab (96%) over fingerprick tests (69%), but would prefer a blood test if it gave results for other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) (86%). Five percent reported difficulties performing the test, four percent with storage, and 26% with portability. Ninety-three percent reported likelihood of using HIVST to test partners in future, but only 3% were willing to pay the current price. Efforts to improve HIVST uptake should focus on incorporating testing for other STIs, reducing test kit size, and reducing cost.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10461-020-02885-3 | DOI Listing |
Int J Colorectal Dis
January 2025
Exact Sciences Corporation, Madison, WI, USA.
Purpose: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second leading cause of cancer mortality in the USA and is highly preventable, with early screening vital for improving outcomes. This study aimed to evaluate adherence rates of multi-target stool DNA (mt-sDNA) testing, following updated guidelines recommending screening starting at age 45.
Methods: This retrospective cohort study used aggregated data from Exact Sciences Laboratories LLC, examining new users (first-time testers) aged 45-85 with commercial, Medicare, or Medicaid insurance who received mt-sDNA test kits (point-of-care) between January 1, 2023, and June 1, 2023.
Ocul Surf
January 2025
Department of Ophthalmology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences; Key Laboratory of Ocular Fundus Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences. Electronic address:
Unlabelled: Dry eye disease is a multifactorial disorder of the ocular surface with increasing global prevalence, yet no universally accepted "gold standard" exists for its diagnosis or severity assessment. Tear matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) is widely recognized as a valuable biomarker for dry eye, yet there remains a critical need for a simple, accurate, and broadly applicable method for its quantification. This study aims to develop and evaluate a Schirmer strip-based Eu-time resolved fluorescence immunochromatography (Eu-TRFICO) method for the quantitative detection of MMP-9 in tears.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFVet Microbiol
January 2025
Equine Research Institute, Japan Racing Association, Shimotsuke, Tochigi, Japan.
Equine influenza virus (EIV) can be transmitted by inhalation of aerosolized droplets, direct contact, and contaminated fomites. However, to our knowledge, there are no reports of the recovery of EIV from the air surrounding infected horses. Here, we evaluated whether EIV can be recovered from the air in the stalls of experimentally infected horses by using an air sampler.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPLoS One
January 2025
Instituto de Biología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), México City, México.
Dogs can discriminate between people infected with SARS-CoV-2 from those uninfected, although their results vary depending on the settings in which they are exposed to infected individuals or samples of urine, sweat or saliva. This variability likely depends on the viral load of infected people, which may be closely associated with physiological changes in infected patients. Determining this viral load is challenging, and a practical approach is to use the cycle threshold (Ct) value of a RT-qPCR test.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Adolesc Health
January 2025
University of Michigan Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ann Arbor, Michigan; Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan; Department of Health Behavior and Health Equity, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, Michigan. Electronic address:
Purpose: We aimed to analyze adolescent and young adults' (AYAs) perspectives on using sexually transmitted infection (STI) self-collection kits to help guide the provision and implementation of accessible and confidential reproductive health-care services for those who experience the burden of STIs and STI-related morbidity.
Methods: We utilized MyVoice, a nationwide text message survey of AYAs, to pose 6 open-ended questions on their perceptions and use of STI self-collection kits. Two independent reviewers used inductive content analysis to develop a codebook and analyze responses, and a third settled any coding discrepancies through discussion to reach consensus.
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